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Rafters Win Fourth In A Row
Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (27-44, 15-21) closed out their home portion of their 2014 schedule in fine fashion with a 10-1 blowout victory over the Green Bay Bullfrogs (35-36, 18-18). Wisconsin Rapids got over their tetraphobia and won their fourth in a row, their longest win streak of the season.
Things did not start off smoothly for the Rafters, as the lead- off batter in the game, Dean Long (Emporia State), put together an eight pitch at-bat and launched a solo home run to give the Bullfrogs an early 1-0 lead. That would be all the Bullfrogs would get off of starter Connor McClain (Central Arkansas) as the righty went six innings in his second start of the season and strike out six. McClain would have to get out of a couple jams. Each time though, he would reach down and pick up a key strikeout to shut the door on potential Bullfrogs rallies.
The Rafters would take the lead for good in the bottom of the 3rd. It would be a three run frame that saw the first three batters of the inning reach on singles. All three runners would come around to score and the Rafters would not look back. The game would be put out of reach in the bottom of the 7th when the Rafters sent ten batters to the plate and scored five runs on two hits.
The Rafters are playing some of their best baseball of the season here at the tail end of the schedule as they have now won four in a row. The offense has been pulverizing the baseball as of late, as they swept the first place Chinooks the last two nights who feature the league’s top ERA, and took down the Bullfrogs on Saturday who have the NWL’s third best team ERA. Two thousand one hundred and thirteen Rafters’ fans came out for the final home game of the year, which is the 3rd largest home crowd in Rafters’ history.
Wisconsin Rapids wraps up the 2014 season tomorrow when they travel to Joannes Stadium in Green Bay to tangle with the Bullfrogs one last time. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 pm.
The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.
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